UK minister calls Ben-Gvir remarks on Lebanon ‘horrendous and abhorrent’
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned comments by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after he said that "all of Lebanon must burn" following the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in a Hezbollah attack in southern Lebanon.
In a post on X, Cooper described the remarks as "a horrendous and abhorrent statement from an Israeli Minister who has rightly been sanctioned by the UK Government".
Cooper also called on both Israel and Hezbollah to respect the ceasefire in Lebanon and avoid further escalation.
She urged the parties to "ensure that all civilians are protected", stressing the need to prevent additional violence as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilise the situation along the border.
Calling for "all of Lebanon to burn" is a horrendous and abhorrent statement from an Israeli Minister who has rightly been sanctioned by the UK Government.
We call on both Israel and Hizballah to comply with the agreed ceasefire, and ensure that all civilians are protected.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) June 19, 2026